Richard Kenneth Djerf Executed For 1993 Phoenix Mass Murder

On October 17, 2025, the state of Arizona executed Richard Kenneth Djerf for a crime that horrified the Phoenix community decades ago. Authorities carried out the lethal injection at 10:40 a.m., finally closing a chapter on the 1993 mass murder of the Luna family.

No Final Words

The news reporter seemed to struggle a bit to find what to talk about. No last words and no messy execution led the discussion toward a previous Arizona execution that lasted for hours. The reporter claimed that “nobody wanted to see” Djerf suffer.

The report also mentioned that it took decades from conviction to execution, which annoyed some folks who watched the coverage.

29 Years on Death Row

When he went to court in the 1990s, Richard Kenneth Djerf, 55 at the time of his death, had not contested his trial, and in fact, he pleaded guilty. So, his execution could have happened years ago. However, legal proceedings and appeals kept on going for close to three decades..

Not many people cared about his lack of last words, or the death of a murderer who deliberately killed a man, his wife, and his two kids. But, they hated the idea that a self-confessed killer used up so much taxpayers’ money.

One person opined, “32 years sucking off our tax money so someone could keep a job.”

Meanwhile, another follower of true crime asked, rhetorically, “Nobody wanted to watch him suffer? You sure about that honey?”

Then another person who disliked the protracted years on death row wrote, “Report on how much money he cost the taxpayers to get justice.”

The Crime Was Horrific

The backstory to the murders arose after a personal dispute. Djerf firmly believed that Albert Luna Jr., a former friend and co-worker, stole something from him. At the time, he claimed the stolen items included electronics and a rifle from his apartment, per a Supreme Court document. 

Taking things into his own hands after deciding the cops weren’t taking his report seriously enough, Richard Kenneth Djerf decided to pursue his own form of justice. In September 1993, he went to the home of the Luna family, gaining access under the pretense of delivering some flowers.

Killing Two Kids, A Mom & A Dad

After entering the home, where he found Patricia Luna and her five-year-old son, Damien, he made her move some property into his car. Unfortunately, another child, a daughter named Rochelle, (18) arrived home. Djerf sexually assaulted and murdered the young woman, and told her mom what he’d done.

Later, when Albert Luna Sr. returned home, Djerf beat him with a baseball bat and placed him in handcuffs. Albert Sr. remarkably regained consciousness and managed to lunge at Djerf with a knife.

In response, Djerf shot the man six times, killing him. Following this, Djerf turned his attention back to Patricia and Damien, taunting her about whether she or the child should die first. Eventually, after what must have been a terrifying time, he killed both of them.

Attempt To Destroy Evidence

Next, he made an effort to destroy any evidence, and set the home on fire. However, that seemed like a fail as he used rags and pizza boxes that didn’t work. Unable to keep his mouth shut, he talked about his true crime to a girlfriend and others.

Naturally, the cops soon arrested him. In 1995, he pleaded guilty to four counts of first-degree murder. Well, he had years behind bars to think it over, and prior to his execution, he wrote a letter apologizing for his crimes.

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